Robert Barnes from Spider Machines - Modern Technology -vs- Old Conventional Designs

musterdbom · September 18th, 2012, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srimonogramming

I had 4 330/30's from murakami but they all busted within a year.

That's about $60 in mesh for 4 screens!! Glad I didn't order any!

srimonogramming · September 18th, 2012, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musterdbom

That's about $60 in mesh for 4 screens!! Glad I didn't order any!

Actually, I think I paid over $25 per panel, shurloc ez frames. Hard lesson learned. One busted from mishandling and the other 3 busted while sitting in the dark room with emulsion on them.

screenprintguy · September 18th, 2012, 11:11 AM

I did the shuloc panels, they are nice, but after doing a little cost analysis, Bolt mesh is where we will go back to. I can have someone pre-cutting panels in down time. I got pretty efficient in installing hand cut panels in the frames. If we were doing daily re-screens, it might be worth it, but when you average 7-10 bucks a panel to cut your own mesh vs 18-28 bucks a panel, it's a little bit of a waste for me. Especially when one pops pre-maturally, talk about getting p i s s e d off!!!

eetherman · September 18th, 2012, 06:07 PM

Nice to know, we use all static frames just had 16 280's and 305's come in 2 weeks ago, 12 popped within the first 5 days not to happy about it.
What tension is everyone running their statics at? We run 110's 156's 200's 230's 280's and 305's. The guy that stretches our's is all over the place and we probably should find someone else.

Binkspot · September 18th, 2012, 06:42 PM

I have never recived a static over 20 and tried several vendors. In March we got 5 25x36 all 280 and they were between 15-17, last time I do that. I have had better luck with the panel frames. At least I can change panels when needed. Now we have been adding Newman's over the past few months, putting a few in rotation each month. Have streched with Shurloc panels and bulk but the jury is still out on what way we will be going.

Prosperi-Tees · September 18th, 2012, 08:58 PM

What is your initial and post printing tension of those panel frames?

Binkspot · September 18th, 2012, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prosperi-Tees

What is your initial and post printing tension of those panel frames?

When the panel goes in the first time I am getting 20-22. Last time I checked and honestly I have no idea how many imprints are on the screens but they seem to level out at 15-17 some a little lower some higher. I have 16 of them in rotation, 8 with 160 and the rest 180, keep 12 spare panels for each mesh size. We have had them for maybe a year and maybe changed four panels. IMO if we are getting a set of 4 panel frames and spare screens for the price of having statics stretched including shipping. Getting the same tensions, then buying a box of spare panels for half the price of the statics and being able to snap a new panel in min its a no brainer.

I decided last year that we would have three "Classes" of screens in the shop.
1. Newman's we can keep tight good mesh in. Use for detail work.
2. Statics and panel we do everyday jobs on, spot color, easy reg, etc.
3. "S" (****) screens, all statics we keep running until they are no longer usable then replace with more Newman's or panel, there are plenty of jobs we can run on softer screens or ones with holes.

Actually I do believe there are a few members here who run large production numbers that have the panel frames and after a job is done they just toss to screen and insert a new one.

Prosperi-Tees · September 18th, 2012, 09:51 PM

Your last sentence their is what I have been debating for a long time! I think getting rid of the reclaim portion of the process could be a Huge time and money saver. A replacement panel is in the $12-14 range and if you are charging screen fees, it almost seems like a no brainer to me, especially a 1 man shop with limited space.

eetherman · September 18th, 2012, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Binkspot

I have never recived a static over 20 and tried several vendors. In March we got 5 25x36 all 280 and they were between 15-17, last time I do that. I have had better luck with the panel frames. At least I can change panels when needed. Now we have been adding Newman's over the past few months, putting a few in rotation each month. Have streched with Shurloc panels and bulk but the jury is still out on what way we will be going.

I personally feel statics get a bad rap because most people send them out to be redone. When this is done you are at the mercy of the person stretching. I know for a fact that my guy doesn't let the mesh relax for more than a minute before glue. Also most use a quick set glue which is also junk. We cycle roughly 150 screens through the shop and the ones I have the best luck with were stretched 4 years ago and have I believe the red Kiwo glue.
Are the panels that much better or is it just the ability to snap some mesh in within a minute?

srimonogramming · September 18th, 2012, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eetherman

Nice to know, we use all static frames just had 16 280's and 305's come in 2 weeks ago, 12 popped within the first 5 days not to happy about it.
What tension is everyone running their statics at? We run 110's 156's 200's 230's 280's and 305's. The guy that stretches our's is all over the place and we probably should find someone else.

I've bought several hundred statics from a half dozen sources and never had one over 21 newtons. Most were in the 12-15 newton range. Out of all of them, maybe 5-8% of them were over 17 and under 21. We no longer use statics for most everyday stuff, Newman rollers and shurloc ez frames do 99% of our work.